• Sierra del Carmen

    Big Bend

    National Park Texas

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • PANTHER JUNCTION VISITOR CENTER TEMPORARY CLOSURE

    The Panther Junction Visitor Center will be closed Tuesday May 28 and Wednesday May 29 for needed maintenance. Information, backcountry permits, and entrance fee payments can be taken care of at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center.

Backcountry Food Storage

backcountry food storage locker
NPS\Big Bend National Park
 
Black bears, javelinas, skunks, rodents and other animals may explore your campsite looking for food scraps. Do your part to properly store food, water, and edible items from animals whether backpacking in the Chisos Mountains or camping at a primitive roadside campsite.
 

Store edible items in bear proof lockers provided at campsites, including:

  • food (even canned and freeze-dried)
  • water bottles, filters, and liquids
  • trash
  • dirty dishes
  • toiletries (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and sunscreen)

Keep a clean camp. Cook away from your sleeping area. Dispose of cooking water in camper sinks in the Chisos Basin campground or well away from camp in the backcountry. Strain water to insure food scraps aren't dumped on the ground.

Don't leave edible items in your pack or take them into your tent at night. Don't eat in your tent.

Break down your tent when not in use. Wildlife can be curious or attracted by food smells and may explore your tent. Consider leaving backpacks open at night, too.

Don't leave edible items unattended. Carry everything with you or store items in bear proof lockers and, at roadside campsites, in a hard-sided vehicle (with the windows rolled up).

Pack out all trash, including food scraps and grease. Don't leave food or trash in the storage locker.

Did You Know?

Tornillo Creek Bridge and Mission 66 Sign

As part of the Mission 66 development program, Big Bend National Park received $14 million dollars for improvements between 1958 and 1965. One Texas writer felt that these developments, such as paved roads and campgrounds, "will not sissify nor citify the wilderness...." More...